Sir Stirling Moss is the star at Amelia Island 2015

Among the other automotive anniversaries that will be marked in 2015 is the 60th anniversary of Sir Stirling Moss’ towering, record-shattering victory for Mercedes-Benz in the 1955 running of the Mille Miglia, in partnership with the late motoring journalist Denis Jenkinson. That has prompted the organizers of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance to reprise their inaugural event by bringing Sir Stirling back next year as honoree during the event’s 20th anniversary, scheduled to take place next March 13-15.

Moss and Jenkinson behind the wheel of the Mercedes W196 300SLR at the 1955 Mille Miglia.

Sir Stirling is widely known as not just a British knight of the realm but also as a patriot, who preferred to run cars from his homeland in Grand Prix racing. His honor as a sporting gentleman was cemented forever in 1958, when he publicly lobbied for Mike Hawthorn to avoid a minor penalty, thereby assuring that Hawthorn won the World Driving Championship that year despite Hawthorn’s single win as opposed to Sir Stirling’s four. The former equestrian star is thus considered the greatest, most heroic driver to have never won a Formula 1 championship.

A young Stirling Moss poses with the OSCA he drove to victory at Sebring in 1954.

He did battle with Fangio, Collins, Hawthorn, Hill and other greats before a harrowing accident at Goodwood in 1962 that largely ended his Grand Prix career. Since then, Sir Stirling has been a beloved ambassador of the sport; a survivor of its most deadly era. One of the world’s truly great car events, Amelia Island takes place in northeast Florida at the famed namesake Ritz-Carlton resort, typically drawing more than 300 premium road and race cars. In 2015, that lineup will include a 20-car class of cars that Sir Stirling personally raced. For more information, visit AmeliaConcours.org.

October 17, 2014 9:57 am

Tim Sullivansays:

October 17, 2014 11:19 am

Tom Clark Jr.says:

October 17, 2014 10:15 am

Happy Birthday Today, Sir Stirling.
Fond Memories of “loaning” him a brand new Maserati Bora for an appearance at the 12 Hours of Sebring. I think he brought it back with extremely worn rear tires!
A very approachable and kind man. Amelia Event will be all the better for his attendence.

Dave Andersonsays:

October 17, 2014 10:32 am

I had the pleasure of meeting Sir Sterling and Lady Moss in Madison Wisconsin in 2007. He was the guest of honor at the Madison Sports Car Clubs 50th anniversary. Donn Gurney fielded questions from us and Sir Sterling answered them as only he can. Lady Moss is very delightful. I fell lucky to have meet them.

Terry Hardgravesays:

October 17, 2014 10:52 am

One of my treasured memories was seeng Moss race at Riverside around 1959, in a Aston Martin DBR1. He had early car issues, and lost lots of time in the pits, then proceeded to put on a show, driving with abandon, and working his way back through most of the field, headlights on. Amazingly, we saw him pass cars on famous turn 6, on the outside of that reverse banked curve. The greatest driving demonstration I ever saw!

John C. Kovalosays:

October 17, 2014 12:03 pm

Perhaps just the excuse I need to finally get down to Amelia next year.

I can still see him at Mid-Ohio in the early 70s bawling the tires off the Pontiac pace car around those curves…..
And altho he didn’t win Le Mans in ’59, his book on that year’s team victory is one of my treasures
Hey, maybe he could autograph it……..

Matt Cuddysays:

October 17, 2014 12:18 pm

David B. Keithsays:

October 18, 2014 12:48 am

I was privileged to see Moss and Fangio competing on the fabled Nuerburgring in 1956 while stationed at 7th Army Hqs Patch Barracks in Stuttgart-Vaihingen. I treasure the black and white photos I took that day with my PX-purchased Leica III-f. On a SP-3’s pay, I lived on a 1-lb. tin of Planter’s peanuts that whole day! While in Stuttgart, I made the mandatory pilgrimages to Untertuerkheim and Zuffenhausen!

ross w. lovellsays:

October 18, 2014 4:39 pm

Greetings All,

Had the chance to talk with him and his wife at Lime Rock this past September.
Have yet to meet a more gracious Driver who, along with his wife is the embodiment of class.
Honored that he makes the rounds here in th US.

Grahame Wardsays:

October 18, 2014 6:07 pm

Stirling achieved the highest results in all categories of motor sport. He won rallies, sports car races, little 500cc racing cars in the late 40s and 50s and was then competed in 66 F1 Grand Prix from 1951 to 1961. He won 16 and had 16 pole positions.He almost won the World Championsip finishing second four times and third on three other years. Still a wonderful man supported by a great lady in Susie. And a great friend on long standing.

Raymond Costasays:

October 22, 2014 12:59 pm

I had just a few heroes in my youth and Sterling Moss and his sister, Pat, were two of them. (The others were Phil Hill, Erik Carlson and later, Jim Clark). I’m thinking about attending the Amelia Island Concours, and this might be the push that I need to go.